General Information

The ART Lebanon Programme began in March 2007 the implementation of its actions in four priority regions in the country, characterised by their high levels of poverty and deep economic problems: the Interprovincial Region of Northern Lebanon (3 Kadas: Akkar, Minieh and Dinniyeh, Tripoli-Bab el-Tebbaneh), the Interprovincial Region of Southern Lebanon (5 Kadas: Marjeyon, Bint Jbeil, Nabatiyeh, Tyre and Hasbaya), the Bekaa Region (4 Kadas: Rashaya and West Bekaa, Hermel and Baalbeck) and the Southern Suburbs of Beirut.

The programme, managed at the national level by Lebanon’s Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) and the UNDP, is a multi-donor and multi-sectoral framework made available to the local, national and international stakeholders to coordinate and harmonise their efforts for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, contributing to local governance, decentralisation and sustainable and equitable socioeconomic development.

Its overall objective is to support the national government and the local communities from priority regions in the development and implementation of strategic development plans, with special attention to disadvantaged groups. More specifically, the programme seeks to improve public access to primary health services, increase income generation and employment opportunities, promote conservation and respect for the environment and promote social integration of young people and their active participation in local development processes.

The programme works through three priority components:

Resource Mobilization and Execution

 The Programme at a Glance

Results and Activities at the Local Level

Region South Lebanon

Level of Ownership

All initiatives and activities in the Programme framework in the Southern Region of Lebanon have been implemented by the working groups, led by local authorities, in close collaboration with relevant ministries and with the active participation of social actors in the territory and international partners.

Environment

Reduction of the environmental impact of waste sites in the Municipality of Taybeh (Province of Ferrara; Coordination of Local Authorities for Peace and Human Rights; Municipality of Taybeh). ► Improvement in energy efficiency and promotion of the use of renewable energy sources in the Municipality of Tyre through the installation of a system of solar panels in the Tyre Government Hospital (City of Padua; Coordination of Local Authorities for Peace and Human Rights; Municipality of Tyre). ► Improvement in the drinking water distribution and water resources management system infrastructure in the municipalities of Nabatiyeh and Bint Jbeil (Coordination of Communes of Piedmont for Peace –COCOPA; Municipality of Turin; Water Agency of the District of Turin- ATO3; SMAT). ► As part of the regional water management strategy, establishment of two water feeding centres in Tyre and Marjayoun, improving water access for over 170,000 residents; successful transfer of this project to the municipalities of Bint Jbeil and Nabatiyeh (Municpalities of Tyre, Marjeyoun, Nabatiyeh and Bint Jbeil; Unions of Municipalities; Province of Ferrara through the private public company SOELIA).

Local Economic Development

►Support for small-scale livestock production in Tyre and Bint Jbeil (Municipalities of Tyre and Bint Jbeil.) ► Establishment of a network of women cooperatives in Southern Lebanon (funded by Spain).

Southern Suburbs of Beiruth

The Programme objectives in Beirut's Southern Suburbs focus on promoting the social integration of young people in vulnerable situations, improving the population’s access to public health services and increasing incomes and employment opportunities through the fostering of small businesses.

Ownership

All initiatives and activities assumed within in the Programme framework in Beirut’s Southern Suburbs have been implemented by working groups, led by local authorities, in close collaboration with the relevant ministries and with the active participation of social actors in the territory and international partners.

Youth

► Establishment of the Youth Office in Municipalities in Al Chiah, Hadath and Furn el Chebbak with the aim to develop a strategy and a comprehensive action plan for the youth; capacity building for workers and social leaders and community sensitisation on youth’s social problems (Municipalities of Al Chiah, Hadath and Furn el Chebbak).

Health

► Implementation of a pilot project for strengthening Public Health Centres in the Southern suburbs of Beirut, as part of the national strategy led by the Ministry of Public Health, through improved management, strengthening staff capacities and increased trust between the community and health centres in the three pilot municipalities of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry and Borj Al Barajneh; successful transfer of this project to Northern Lebanon (Municipality of Arezzo; Ministry of Public Health; Municipality of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry and Borj Al Barajneh).

Region of Bekaa

The Programme objectives in the Bekaa Region are to improve public access to quality social services, with particular emphasis on the primary health care system; promote environmental conservation through the implementation of strategies and initiatives for sustainable and integrated water and forestry management; increase income generation and employment opportunities in the tourism and agro-tourism sector, with particular emphasis on supporting and strengthening dairy, apiary, wine, and fruits and vegetables production.

Health

► Increasing access to quality health services through better provision of the Kfar Qouq dispensary services (Municipality of Kfar Qouq). ► Reducing the cost of medical services with the
establishment of a blood analysis laboratory in the primary health clinic of Houche Harimeh (City of Houche Harimeh). ► Provision of low cost medical services and promotion of research and training by constructing a dispensary and a public library in the Municipality of Al Saweiri (Municipality of Al Saweiri).

Environment

► Increased population access to drinking water and promotion of social cohesion in the Municipality of Al Akabeh with the rehabilitation of a public garden and a natural spring (Municipality of Al Akabeh). ► Construction in the Municipality of Nahle in Baalbeck of an irrigation canal (Municipality of Nahle in Baalbeck).

Tourism

► Generation of sustainable income for the residents of the Municipality of Manara by means of the construction of a tourism centre and the organisation and promotion of activities and social events (Municipality of Manara).

Social

► Creation of space for recreational and leisure activities for children, promotion of social cohesion by establishing a public park and a nursery school in the Municipality of Al Akabeh (Monaco; Union of Municipalities of Baalbeck). ► Promotion of social integration of young people through the rebuilding of a football field in the Municipality of Lala and the encouragement of sports activities (Municipality of Lala).

Local Economic Development

► Increases in income and employment opportunities for 63 direct beneficiaries in the tourism sector in the Municipality of Baalbeck through the construction of 15 commercial kiosks within a planned framework: improvement of business around Baalbeck tourist areas, mainly in the Roman ruins and the Ras El Ein River (Municipality of Baalbeck).

Northern Region

The Programme objectives in this region are to improve public access to social services and enhance their quality, with particular emphasis on primary health and education in Akkar Minnieh-Dinnieh and Tripoli; promote youth participation in local development processes in Akkar and Minnieh-Dinnieh; and foster income increases and employment opportunities by strengthening the agricultural and agro-industrial sector (dairy, fruit and vegetables, fisheries and beekeeping), particularly in Akkar and Minnieh Dinnieh.

Local Economic Development

► Support to the economic development and cost reduction of irrigation through the construction of a water supply system for watering 1197greenhouses, benefiting 57 farming families in the Municipality of Minieh; development of farmers’ capacities in effective irrigation management; successful transfer of this project to other areas of Programme intervention such as the Municipality of Minieh.

Health

► Improvement in the provision of health services withh the rehabilitation of Primary Health Centres in Bakhoun, Abboudieh and Tebbeneh (Ministry of Health; Ministry of Social Affairs).

Youth

► Support for the implementation of the project "Youth Vocational Training" in Tripoli (Municipality of Tripoli). ► Strengthening of 5 centres for the promotion of youth employment by means of using new information and communication technologies in Northern Lebanon (Tripoli; Akkar and Minnieh / Dinnieh).

Social

► Strengthening of the interaction and dialogue between young people and promotion of social and cultural activities in the municipalities of Halba Azqi by rehabilitating cultural centers (and Halba Azqi Municipalities).

Results and Activities at the National Level

The first phase of Programme activities, focused on responding to the needs of post-conflict recovery after the July 2006 war - ended in 2008 and 2009 marked the beginning of a second phase based on a developmental approach. The Programme elaborated its Framework Programme document presenting the strategic objectives and expected results for 2009 and 2010. All projects developed in 2009 followed the guidelines set forth herein and were implemented by the working groups in collaboration with relevant ministries and in many cases with decentralised cooperation partners.

At the national level, the Programme coordinated its activities with the relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of the Interior and Municipalities; likewise, it facilitated the creation of networks, the fostering of relations and the implementation of joints actions among the territories of intervention.
 

Ownership

►The Programme coordinates in a close manner with the relevant ministries and assures that all projects and initiatives undertaken are aligned with national health, water management, agricultural and youth strategies. This close relationship kept and deepened throughout 2009, will continue to be reinforced in 2010.

Strategic Framework Documents

► Elaboration of the Programme’s strategic framework document according to a bottom-up approach, production of the Operations Manual, which defines the practical procedures for implementing the Programme and ongoing creation of the document Lebanon’s Territorial Profile.

Local Economic Development (LED)

elaboration with the Working Groups of the mandate for future Local Economic Development Agencies (LEDAs); definition in consultation with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities of the legal aspects of the LEDAs. ► Creation of temporary LED offices in the four areas of Programme intervention as a first step towards the establishment of LEDAs; training of office staff in local economic development. ► Technical assistance to 550 farmers and establishment of three cooperatives of milk producers, beekeepers and farmers. ► Technical assistance to 15 small and medium enterprises and cooperatives in management and organisation. ► Strengthening of the honey value chain: support the establishment of the National Consortium of Lebanese Beekeepers; organisation of several training workshops for beekeepers taught by experts from Italy’s FELCOS Umbria; participation of a Lebanese delegation to the "Forum of Mediterranean Beekeepers” (Morocco, October 2009) and exchange of experiences; development of a quality analysis of Lebanese honey production for market inclusion.

Environment

► Support for the development of the National Water Awareness Campaign addressed to the entire Lebanese population, particularly students, to be inaugurated in March 2010 (Ministry of Energy and Water; UNDP).

Health

► Support for the transfer and implementation in other Programme priority areas of the approach developed by the Primary Health Care Project conducted in Beirut’s Southern Suburbs. The project, in line with the national strategy aims to improve the population access to primary health services by supporting health centres and Municipalities.

Communication

►Development and dissemination to local, national and international stakeholders and media the Programme’s first newsletter covering the activities carried out between December 2008 and June 2009 as well as the initiatives to implement. ► Building of the Programme’s Web site, to be launched in March 2010, and development of its specific logo. ► Organisation of official events for the launch of nine projects: graduation ceremony in Tripoli for the project "Health Awareness"; inauguration of an audiovisual room opened in Tripoli, an sports club for young people in the Dinniyeh, a municipal playground Kfarchalan, 15 commercial and tourist kiosks in the city of Baalbeck, social and cultural centres and a public library in Rashaya, two water maintenance centres in Jbeil and Nabatieh Binet, the Qaser primary health centre, two ICT centres in Qobayyat and Akkar Al Atika, two public parks in Fneidek and Halba, a youth cultural centre in Halba, and a laboratory for soil and water analysis in Abdeh, preparation of newsletters about the projects and distribution to all involved partners.

Initiatives under grants

Within the framework of the Mediterranean Cross-Border Cooperation Programme ENPI CBC: organisation of a meeting for the presentation of the ENPI CBC Programme (February 2009) to 60 representatives of Lebanese Municipal Councils and Unions; presentation to the ENPI CBC Programme of two proposals on cultural heritage and water management in Lebanon’s Southern Region, a proposal for ecotourism in Lebanon’s Northern Region and an initiative on health in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut.

Results and Activities at the International Level

At the international level, the Programme objectives are the establishment, within the multi-donor framework, of partnerships with various international cooperation actors, the dissemination of the methodology, the achieved results and best practices, and exchange of experiences and opportunities for local economic development with other ART programmes in accordance with the already existing international exchange network.

The obtained results and implemented activities were promoted before European donors and the network of decentralised cooperation partners. Technical visits were organised between local Lebanese institutions and their European counterparts, facilitating the transfer of knowledge, best practices and experiences on issues of common interest. More specifically, the Programme established cooperation partnerships with decentralised cooperation partners from Italy, Spain, Belgium and Monaco: currently 45 partnerships have been established, out of which 10 were signed in 2009, representing an increase of 20% over the previous year.

Identification and Exchange of Innovations

► Organisation of an exploration mission to Italian Economic Development Agencies (30 November to 5 December 2009): a delegation of representatives from the private sector and the Programme from the Region of South Lebanon visited provinces in Southern Italy to exchange experiences and strengthen ties with 4 Italian LEDAs. The 4 agencies stated their willingness to provide technical assistance to the ADEL in Southern Lebanon and a cooperation alliance was signed with the Province of Naples.

Training and Capacity Building

► Organisation of a mission by the Beirut Suburbs Working Group on Health to the Region of Tuscany (9-14 January 2009) with the purpose of exchanging experiences on health systems; participation of the delegation in the “International Cooperation in the health Sector” workshop. ► Participation of two Programme Area Officials to the training course "Working Methodology in the Framework of the ART Initiative" (Seville, 21-27 June 2009). ► Participation of three Working Groups members and a UNDP Programme Associate to Urbino’s Summer School on "Local authorities and human development" (12-13 July 2009). ► Participation of the Area Officers and Local Officials to a workshop on value chain management led by a UNDP Bulgarian expert (13-19 December 2009). ► Under the water management project implemented in Lebanon’s Southern Region, organisation of the 2nd course on "Maintenance of Water Networks" taught by experts from Torino’s Metropolitan Water Company (SMAT) in Nabatiye and Bint Jbeil (October 30 to November 7, 2009), with the participation of more than 35 engineers and technicians (Municipality of Torino; COCOPA). ► Within the project framework on solid waste management implemented in the Southern Region, training of technicians and Local Authorities in integrated cycle waste management by experts of the Province of Ferrara (November 30 to December 4, 2009); organisation a mission to Italy by five representatives from Municipalities, the Union of Municipalities and waste management facilities in the Southern Region of Lebanon, who were trained on the Waste Management Cycle: exchange of experiences and best practices in waste management, visits to landfills and recycling centres (Province of Ferrara). ► As part of the Programme framework on "Social Interventions Aimed at the Youth" in Southern Beirut, training of social workers and teachers by experts of the Italian regions of Tuscany and Campania (March, April, July and August 2009). ► In the framework of "Strengthening Primary Health Systems,” organisation of training courses in three municipalities in the Southern Region conducted by Italian experts from the Regions of Tuscany and Lazio (April, July and November 2009). ► Organisation of a mission by representatives of the Belgian private sector to the Regions of Northern Lebanon and Bekaa (24 to 29 July, 2009) to identify the priorities of the local community in the production of fruit and vegetables and to explore potential partnerships opportunities (Embassy of Belgium in Beirut; the Municipality of Saint-Truiden - Province of Limburg).

International Events

► Participation of Programme representatives and the UNDP Lebanon office to the ART Initiative International Forum (Seville, 25-27 November 2009), during which the initiative results were presented after four years of implementation in several countries.

Programme's Challenges for 2010

The main Programme challenges for 2010, identified according to the priority component of Governance, are to ensure adequate and effective participation of relevant actors in the territories in working groups to warrant the continuity and sustainability of the methodologies, instruments and implemented initiatives beyond the life spam of the ART programme, encourage the participation of women and maintain a local perspective of the needs and priorities.

Under the priority component of Local Economic Development, the main challenges are to define the legal LEDA framework and establish relations with the markets for firms located in remote regions. And under the decentralised cooperation component, to combine the capabilities and potential of the decentralised cooperation partners with local needs and priorities, multiply the transfer and implementation of successful experiences and practices to new Lebanese territories and develop their potential replication in other countries’ territories.

Contacts

Ms. Marta Ruedas, UNDP Resident Representative marta.ruedas@undp.org

Mr. Luigi Cafiero, Chief Technical Advisor ART GOLD Lebanon luigi.cafiero@undp.org